Amateur career

During the late 1990s, Tugade joined up with fellow Pangasinense Danny Ildefonso to lead the NU Bulldogs to decent finishes in the UAAP. Tugade, then became NU's primary offense player after Ildefonso's departure to the PBL.

He later join the Red Bull Energy Drink squad in the Philippine Basketball League with Ildefonso and later Junthy Valenzuela, Jimwell Torion, Davonn Harp and Kerby Raymundo. Still, Red Bull failed to win a single title in the PBL.

PBA career

Red Bull Barako

In 2000, Red Bull moved up to the PBA ranks as its 10th member. Newly-installed head coach Yeng Guiao, the same man who guided the PBL as its commissioner from 1997-1999, picked Tugade as one of six direct-hire players from their amateur team.

He played a limited role during his first three seasons in the league and was instrumental in Red Bull's two title victories in the 2001 and 2002 Commissioners Cup tournament's.

By the 2004-05 season, Tugade's role increased after the franchise retooled its lineup following losses to Davonn Harp, Willie Miller and, for a while, Mick Pennisi. Along with Enrico Villanueva both led Red Bull to a surprising semifinals appearance in the 2005 Fiesta Conference.

At the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference, through the effort of Tugade, Villanueva, the return of Mick Pennisi, the acquisition of rookie shooting guard Larry Fonacier, the much-suited import James Penny, and the other tough players from the team, Red Bull won the Fiesta Conference crown and the club's first title in four years. In Game 2 against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, Tugade outscored all locals with 30 points before eventually winning the championship. He was named the Finals Most Valuable Player for the first time in his PBA career.

The next conference, Tugade avaerged 56.7 percent from the three-point distance, the highest of his career and became the league's leading three-point shooter during the 2006 Philippine Cup. The Bulls made it to the finals but lost to Purefoods in six games. At the end of thes season, he ranked fourth in the MVP race and became part of the First Mythical Team selection for the first time in his career.

San Miguel Beermen

At the start of the 2006-07 PBA Philippine Cup, Tugade was sidelined with an injury and missed the first part of the conference. However, he was later traded to San Miguel in a three-way deal that also involved Rommel Adducul of the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

With a strong lineup, Tugade played a limited role for the Beermen as he was still recuperating from his injury while sharing minutes with Danny Seigle, Chris Calaguio and Dondon Hontiveros. He did posted significant numbers for San Miguel during their long eight-game winning streak.